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[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

Roanoke City Council clears the way for the Biomedical Institute. A LIVE report on that.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And he marched across France with the 116th Infantry Band... today he gives a million dollars to support the D-Day Memorial.
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[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, the postgame party is alive and well in Martinsville as the Bulldogs celebrate their 11th state hoop title.
Maryland is in sweet 16 - but news about their coach is souring some folks tonight.
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[VO-NAT]
And some people in Carolina aren't too thrilled that quarterback Steve Beuerlein has been cut tonight.
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[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

A mainly clear and cool night ahead but clouds will be on the increase early tomorrow which will lead to some rain and even a little wet snow by later in the afternoon... details ahead...

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

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[VO-NAT]

It's full steam ahead for the new Biomedical Institute, as Roanoke City Council approves the redevelopment plan.

Businesses that stand in the way are still wary, but hoping for the best.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[City-Council]

With today's vote, Roanoke City Council cleared the way for the Housing Authority to begin acquiring land for the Biomedical Institue and related developments.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith and JoeD /Microwave;]

Joe Dashiell has more tonight on the status of the project and the continuing concerns of businesses and property owners affected by the plan.
[LIVE=Joe D FULL/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Joe1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

Keith, council has set the wheels in motion to begin acquiring the land within the South Jefferson Redevelopment Area.
From here on out they expect the project to move quickly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It may be 10 to 15 years]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tom Robertson/Carilion Health System; :19]
[SUPER=01-Mark Hall/Wimmer Tire; :43]
[SUPER=01-Brad Allen/Surfaces Inc.; :52]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=and the citizens of Roanoke.]

(( It may be 10 - 15 years before the entire district is developed, but city officials say the first building could be up and running within 36 months.
Advocates envision a 110 acre... biomedical research park that will generate multi-million dollar investments, high paying jobs, and much needed tax revenue.
[ROBERTSON]
[IN Q=We're pleased]
((TOM ROBERTSON: WE'RE PLEASED THAT THE PROCESS IS MOVING FORWARD. THE CITY HAS HONORED ITS COMMITMENT. THE SCHEDULE THEY OUTLINE INTIALLY.. THE STAFF HAS DONE A GOOD JOB. THE INSTITUTE IS UP AND RUNNING. WE'VE HIRED A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND SO WE'RE VERY ENTHUSED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=what's going on.]

But some businesses will have to go... and Wimmer Tire is one of the first. Mark Hall supports the bio med center and he has been negotiating with Carilion to relocate his business... but he's still waiting to see how it will all work out.
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have a lot of 3rd generation]
((MARK HALL: WE HAVE A LOT OF THIRD GENERATION CUSTOMERS THAT CAME DOWN THERE. EVERYBODY COMES IN AND ASKS WHERE ARE YOU GOING, WHERE ARE YOU GOING. WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT. I'M OPTIMISTIC.))
((BRAD ALLEN: I GUESS THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING, SO TO SPEAK IN TERMS OF COMPENSATION. AND THAT'S WHAT REALLY WILL MAKE THIS A WIN WIN FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE CITIZENS OF ROANOKE.))
[RUNS= :18]
[OUT Q=and the citizens of Roanoke.]))
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[LIVE=JoeD FULL/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

The dispute that may be the hardest to resolve involves Roanoke City Mills... Officials fear the money they stand to receive for the property won't begin to cover their relocation costs.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith and JoeD /Microwave;]

But Keith... this project is now moving forward... and the partners in this project at wasting no time.

[Comair]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-06 TC1:14:01]
[GRAPHIC=Comair Contract Vote]
Pilots who work for Comair are one step closer to a strike.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
According to the Air Line Pilots Association-- the pilots have voted down a settlement offer from Comair's management.
The association says only six of the one thousand ninety pilots who voted on the offer were in favor of it.
Comair has flights out of the Roanoke Regional Airport.
Unless a tentative agreement is reached-- the pilots plan to strike March 26th.
(------------)

[D-Day-Memorial]

For years, supporters of the effort to build a D-Day Memorial have been beating the drum for donations.
Now, a drummer has answered the call.
Steve Smallshaw introduces us to a former Army musician who's given the Memorial a million reasons to be thankful.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He may not]
[SUPER=03-Bedford; :00]
[SUPER=04-1944; :15]
[SUPER=01-Melvin "Bub" Proffitt/Million Dollar Donor]
[SUPER=01-Richard Burrow/D-Day Memorial Director]
[SUPER=@ssm2]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=News7, Bedford.]
(( He may not look like your average millionaire, but Melvin "Bub" Proffitt's contributions to Bedford's D-Day Memorial have been priceless.
Proffitt is not only a veteran who served in Normandy in 1944, he's now on the Memorial's very short list of million dollar donors.
Proffitt was a member of the 116th Infantry Band.. a group of Army musicians who helped boost morale in the days before the invasion.
[SOT 13:44:32]
((MELVIN "BUB" PROFFITT/MILLION DOLLAR DONOR: THE SPIRIT DE CORPS WAS IN THERE.. THE BAND KEPT THAT UP AND THEY HAD IT AND THEY WENT IN. THE SPIRIT DE CORPS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=de corps.]
[natsot 20:40:26]
((THE WATER MOVING FROM SOUTH TO NORTH ACROSS THE BEACH WILL MAKE THE SCULPTURES LOOK LIKE THEY'RE MOVING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH..))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=north to south.]

Proffitt's donation is helping keep construction on the monument a little ahead of schedule.
93 percent of the 8-thousand square yards of concrete has been poured.. the plaza behind the arch is taking on the appearance of the Normandy beachhead.
Each day brings the project closer to completion.. and officials hope it will be done in time for thousands of veterans to see it.
[SOT 13:39:29]
((RICHARD BURROW/D-DAY MEMORIAL DIRECTOR: YOU COULD SEE IN MR. PROFFITT'S EYES AND PERHAPS HEAR IT IN HIS VOICE HE IS REALLY TOUCHED AND MOVED BY THE MEMORIAL COMPLEX, AND IT HAS THAT EFFECT ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME HERE. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE PUSHING SO HARD TO GET IT COMPLETED SO AS MANY WORLD WAR TWO AND D-DAY VETERANS AS POSSIBLE CAN GET HERE TO KNOW THAT THIS TYPE OF MONUMENT WAS BUILT IN THEIR BEHALF.))
[RUNS= 23]
[OUT Q=in their behalf.]

Burrow expects more than ten thousand people to attend the memorial's dedication on June 6th.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford.))
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

It may seem hard to believe, but state troopers say it might be safer for your children to stay in their classrooms during a bomb threat.
We'll find out why next on News 7 at Six.
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[VO-NAT]

And what happens if foot and mouth disease makes it to the United States?
We'll hear from ranchers and state agriculture officials.
(----------------)

[Bomb-Threat]

Keeping kids safe in schools has become as important as educating them.
A bomb threat is just one example of a situation that can turn an ordinary school day dangerous.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon has more on a recommendation to handle threats, one that may come as a surprise to educators and parents...
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Many area]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/March 2000; :00 QUICK]
[SUPER=03-Littleton, CO/April 20, 1999; :04]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Lars Hermann/State Police; :12]
[SUPER=03-Wytheville; :23]
[SUPER=01-Max Cecil/Pulaski County Schools; :37]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; :46]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, Wytheville]
((Many area schools have been targets in recent years. Officials say they are on the rise since the violence at Columbine ... bomb threats are a reality. How they are being handled may be changing.
[SOT-7:00]
[IN Q=]
(( WE'RE NOT TELLING STUDENTS THAT THEY SHOULDN'T EVACUATE WE'RE JUST GIVING THEM AN OPTION GIVING SOME TRAINING ON TO DETERMINE IF MAY BE AN EVACUATION IS NEEDED OR NOT NEEDED.))
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]
For years the policy has been to evacuate immediately, but State Police are nowpresenting educators another option .. remain inside and follow lock-down guidelines. The reason: in certain situations it may keep students safe.
[SOT-12:39]
[IN Q=IF A BOMB]
(( IF A BOMB WAS IN A PUBLIC HALLWAY OR ANOTHER PARTY OF THE BUILDING MAYBE YOUR ACTUALLY FUNNELING KIDS INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ))
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=SITUATION]
Authorities advise looking at key factors in deciding whether or not to remain inside
[SOT-5:28]
[IN Q= THE SAFETY]
((THE SAFETY OF THE STUDENTS THE SIZE OF THE FACILITY THE WEATHER, IF IT WAS 10 DEGREES OUT TO YOU WANT TO MOVE THE KIDS OUT BASED ON ALL THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE THEY MAY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE AGE OF THE CALLER HAVE THEY HAD PREVIOUS BOMB THREATS. ))
School officials have the final call on evacuation and because of the serious consequences, this kind of policy change will be considered carefully
[SOT-13:03]
[IN Q=THIS IS]
((THIS IS SOMETHING OUR SCHOOL BOARD AND ADMINISTRATORS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT BEFORE MAKING A DECISION ON IT. ))
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q= ON IT]

[Fleming-Update]

Roanoke Police have made an arrest in the shooting incident a week ago at William Fleming High School.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/March 12]

School officials- -including school resource officers and city police detectives have charged a 19-year old.
Curtis Jeffery Beverly, Junior, was cited for trespassing at the school, and possession and discharging a weapon on school property.
Authorities they anticipate charges being filed against at least one under age suspect who was with Curtis Beverly.
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[Church-Break-In]

A Roanoke church has learned that "what once was lost has now been found".
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Police have recovered several items taken from the Fellowship Baptist Church last week.
A tip from Crime Line led them to the stolen computer, VCR and other merchandise, and the names of two possible suspects.
Investigators searched a home in southeast Roanoke, and found the church's worldly goods.
They also discovered some things that may be from other burglaries.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KEith]
[SS=None]

Two teenage boys were taken into custody. The mother of one of them has been charged with possession of stolen property.

[Farmers]

Though there have been no outbreaks in the U-S since 1929, Virginia farmers are being urged to keep a closer eye on their livestock for signs of the virus.
Marya Jones says farmers here are already worrying about what to do if the disease hits home ... and finding prevention is out of their hands.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Images from Europe]
[SUPER=@File; :00]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :09]
[SUPER=01-Hilton Dooley/Cattle Farmer; :22]
[SUPER=01-James Fazio/Cattle Farmer; :39]
[SUPER=01-Preston Thornton/Large Animal Veterinarian; 1:01]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:18]

[OUT Q=MJN7, Botetourt Co.][Senate-Museums]

Demand lawmakers go back to Richmond and work it out.
Or send your car tax refund to your local museum.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Those were just some of the brainstorms that came out of a meeting of museum directors from across the state-- facing zero state money as of July first.
A Democratic and a Republican state Senator were on hand to offer strategy and answer questions.
The budget crisis is a result of their battle with the Governor over how fast to cut the car tax.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17:01:32]
[IN Q=In my tiny museum]
((IN MY TINY...RUG IS BEING JERKED OUT FROM UNDER US.))
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=jerked out from under us.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Virginia Association of Museums counts 550 member organizations.
A spokesperson for the Senators calls Roanoke's Science Museum the saddest budget case in the state.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17:22:41]
[IN Q=That we should lose]
((KEN SCHUTZ/SCIENCE MUSEUM OF WESTERN VA.: THAT WE SHOULD LOSE FUNDING... GOVERNMENT JUST ISN'T WORKING THE WAY IT SHOULD IN VIRGINIA.))
[SUPER=01-Ken Schutz/Science Museum of Western VA;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=working the way it should in Virginia.]
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[TALENT=Keith]
[SS=None]

The Science Museum has laid off 19 part-time workers in the last month.
The remaining 19 full time people took pay and benefit cuts.
The plan as of June 30th is to reduce the remaining staff to nine and try to stay open five days a week.

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 sports, Maryland is in the Sweet 16 - but the Terps might be losing their coach.
The Carolina Panthers serve up some cold cuts tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And Steve Mason takes us to Martinsville where the State title party is alive and well for the Bulldogs.
(------------)

[S-UNLV]

The broadcast schedule of games on Your Hometown Station for this Thursday and Friday nights will not be finalized until tomorrow. But rest assured that you will get an eyeful of the University of Maryland Terrapins in one shape of the other on Thursday.
[GRAPHIC=MARYLAND]
The Terps take on rival Georgetown in the West Region's third round on Thursday, but tonight reports have surfaced that UNLV is offering Gary Williams a chance to coach the Running Rebels.
Reports say Williams' agent and school officials from Vegas have been in contact for at least a week.
The deal would reportedly pay Williams more than one million a season.

[S-Dogs]

[ANCHOR=mike ]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=sp-84]
[GRAPHIC=VHSL]
One coach who is thrilled to death that he decided to stay put is Martinsville high school's Troy Wells.
Late Saturday night, his Bulldogs captured the Group Two A state title, and in the process recaptured the imaginations of a community that is abundantly rich in hoop history.
Steve Mason has more from Martinsville.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/This Morning; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jovon Williamson/Bulldogs Junior Gaurd; :08]
[SUPER=01-Robbie Williams/Bulldogs Senior Center; :14 quick]
[SUPER=01-Troy Wells/Martinsville Head Coach; :28]
[SUPER=01-L.D. Oaks/Former Mayor & Booster; :40]
[SUPER=01-Teddi Perkins/Ryan's Co-Owner; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Ron Epperly/Asst. Superintendent; 1:19]
[SUPER=@steve1; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(---------------)
((The Bulldogs proudly showed off their championship hardware. In addition to posing, the trophy also did some traveling, to class with one of it's new owners.
((:))
((:))
The only problem with letting the dogs out for an 11th time, finding space in the gym for another banner. But this is Troy Wells first.
((:))
((:))
((:))
The community has also been feeding off the energy, Domino's Pizza and Ryan's both are giving the Dogs serious props. Ryan's will give the team dinner and a championship cake in the newly named Bulldog Room.
((:))
((:))
The Boosters helped Coach Wells ring in the new title by helping him design a post season gift for each player and discuss the construction of a 250,000 dollar field house.))

[S-Steve]

The Carolina Panthers have made a major move tonight that many believe will have an adverse affect on the team's immediate future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Spartanburg, SC/Last July; :00]
This afternoon the team cut quarterback Steve Beuerlein - in effect to save $2 million dollars in cap money.
Beuerlein has been one the most popular and durable players in Panthers' history starting 44 straight games.
He passed for more than 8000 yards and 55 touchdowns in the past two seasons alone.
The scary thing for Carolina fans is that this moves means that untested Jeff Lewis will take over the team next season.
(------------)

[S-Dale]

Another media outlet has joined in the hunt to have access to Dale Earnhardt's autopsy photos.
Again, it's a newspaper but this time it's a college paper.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NASCAR;:00]
The "Independent Florida Gator" which is run by Florida students, but is not an official university publication has filed a motion in Daytona Beach court seeking the photos.
The paper say it is not likely it would print them, but is filing the motion to make sure the courts stick to the letter of the law.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
Earnhardt's widow reached an agreement with the Orlando Sentinel last Friday.
[GRAPHIC=HOLD OBIT]